Accommodations

The most important issue after being accepted into the Golden Hills School Division international program is to decide where students would like to live. The two options to choose from are:

living in dormitory accommodations

living with a homestay family

Golden Hills School Division is the only public school division in Canada to offer dormitories for their international students. Our dorm leaders nurture and encourage students and help make their residence both a place they can call home and a sanctuary where they can relax and study.

Homestay information for students and their families

Golden Hills School Division provides international students the opportunity to live in a safe, secure environment with a Canadian family while attending school. Host families are carefully selected and families are interviewed and homes are inspected before we accept them into our program. We develop student profiles and family profiles based on information provided to us by both the student and the family. This helps ensure we match the student with the best possible family to meet their needs. The student's parents are sent the family profiles as well as photos of the family and home so they can feel comfortable about the home we've selected for their child, however the student's parents have final approval about the home we place their child in.

All of our families:

have had a thorough interview to determine suitability

have had a homestay inspection

have had references checked

have passed a police record check

have passed an Alberta Child Welfare check

are enthusiastic to receive international students

Our Accommodations Coordinators meet with students and homestay families throughout the year to address any questions or concerns either may have. The coordinators are always available to help and support our students, their parents, and the homestay families. They also provide reports to agents informing them of how their students are adjusting to life in Canada. We encourage all parents and agents to communicate with the Accommodations Coordinators regarding their child's homestay accommodations in order to ensure all of your child's needs are met.

Students living with homestay families usually arrive in late August and stay for either one or two semesters - August 30-January 31 or February 1-June 30.

Homestay parents will pick up their student at the airport and welcome him/her into their home providing all the support and guidance they would their own child. They also supply the student with their own bedroom, desk, dresser, bed and provide three meals and two snacks a day.

Students are responsible for all of their personal expenditures such as clothes, books, personal supplies etc. If they wish to take part in an activity like hockey, these additional costs are the responsibility of the student.

Being a host family with Golden Hills International is unique and rewarding for all members of your family.

Our international program welcomes students from all over the world. They receive an outstanding education in our schools and we also want them to enjoy an outstanding Canadian experience.

This is where you come in.

Your hospitality can make all the difference. It isn't just about giving them a place to live and eat, you become a vital part of their experience here. This will be truly rewarding for everyone and joins cultural sharing and great memories as you learn about your student and integrate them into your daily life.

We are looking for hosts who can offer a safe, secure, welcoming environment to learn and grow in. You do get paid however we don't want this to be your reason for becoming a homestay. Students see through this and it interferes with the homestay experience we want for our students.

You always have the support of our Accommodations Coordinators whether you are an experienced host or new to our homestay family. They are there to guide you through the homestay process and are available to provide answers, advice, and support. Information sessions are also held several times a year to inform, engage and get feedback from you.